"The Falcons are still overjoyed about having Gonzalez -- a blue-chip free agent expected to retire -- come back," Rapoport wrote last month. "When Gonzalez told the team he'd return, it buoyed spirits. Prior to reaching that decision, however, Gonzalez made commitments to his family, and the organization is allowing him to honor those."

Said Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff: "I feel very strongly about it. The fact that he's a first-ballot Hall of Famer, there's no issues with this team as far as not being here."

Gonzalez was highly productive last season, hauling in 93 catches for 930 yards and eight touchdowns. All the Falcons care about is adding him to their high-octane attack before the real games begin.